The Benefits of an Author-Oriented Approach to Hermeneutics
Stein argues in this paper that in a communication process, meaning is determined by the author. He acknowledges his debt to E. D. Hirsch Jr. and his book Validity in Interpretation. Stein provides an extended argument for author-determined meaning.
Christian Education, Worldviews, and Postmodernity's Challenge
This article reflects on the call for a distinct Christian education in twentieth-century Western culture of advanced epistemological decay. Particular attention is given to postmodernism's tendency to define meaning and purpose on an individual basis and not as things relate to any universal.
The Divine Meaning of Scripture: Explanations and Limitations
In this article, the author wrestles with concepts of meaning and the divine-human authorship of Scripture. The main argument of the essay is that there may be a development of the divine meaning of an individual text of Scripture as the canon grows. However, the original meaning is never lost. He argues that God can intend more in a passage of Scripture than the human author intends. He also summarizes the changes in E. D.
Let the Reader Understand – Truth, Language, and Sin
The volume is a study of hermeneutics. In Chapter 1 the foundation is laid for a proper understanding of the task of interpretation of Scripture by spelling out the presuppositions of responsible interpretation.
Interpreting in Cultural Context
How do cultural issues influence the interpretation of Scripture? Kraft selects four areas where understanding the influence of culture can help his readers understand how Scripture should be interpreted. He develops a method that he calls culturolinguistic. He depends strongly on the insights from Bible translation theorists like Eugene Nida and John Beekman.
Structure and Purpose in Genesis 1-11
The relationship of structure to meaning is to be recognized as important in any theory of interpretation. This paper reflects on the use of structure in Genesis 1-Genesis 11 to determine the purpose of the passage.
The Fallacy of Equating Meaning with the Human Author's Intention
In biblical exegesis an important question is, "What is the intention of the human author?" This paper argues that however important the human author's intention is for determining the meaning of any given text, it does not exhaust a text's meaning. A text must be read in its total context, literary and historical.
The Current Crisis in Exegesis and the Apostolic Use of Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9:8-10
The author sees a crisis in exegesis. He laments the lack of distinction between meaning and significance in interpretation theory. He examines Paul’s use of the Mosaic civil law from Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9:8–10 to determine how Paul used the OT.
The Brevity of Life
Small Words - Kata
Small Words - Dei
Symphonic Theology: Words and Precision
Applying the theory of perspectivism to the reading of the Bible, the author of this article looks at the relationship between perspectives and meaning of words. The author shows that ordinary and biblical language can be used by individuals to say an indefininate number of things. This can make translating and interpreting the Bible difficult.